Markel Smith committed to Missouri way back in November, a full 15 months before he's eligible to sign his letter of intent for the Tigers. But just because the 2014 prospect verbally pledged to Missouri, doesn't mean he isn't getting attention from other schools.

"I'm getting lots of letters," Smith said. "Just a bunch of letters from all different schools."

Backing up that claim, Smith posted a picture to his Twitter account Sunday evening with about 100 recruiting letters spread across his floor. In the midst of all that mail, a few programs have become more aggressive in their recruitment.

"Iowa definitely," he said. "That's one that's after me the most. There's Iowa and then Ole Miss offered me a scholarship the other day. Illinois might have but I'm not sure on that one."

Although the offers are coming in, Tiger fans will be pleased with Smith's response.

"You know, it's an honor and it's an accomplishment but I basically just tell them that I'm pretty solid to Mizzou right now," Smith said.

With other schools after the highly-touted running back, Missouri is staying in touch with its first 2014 commit.

"My relationship with Mizzou, it's pretty strong," Smith said. "I talk to coach [Cornell] Ford all the time and we have a great relationship."

Plus, there's another reason Smith is feeling the love from the home-state school: "I have a lot of people that follow me on Twitter from Mizzou," he said with a laugh.

Smith is no stranger to Columbia and he'll be back on campus soon. He plans to attend Mizzou's junior day this weekend and then be back to camp with the Tigers in the summer. In the meantime, he's helping his friends out with the recruiting process.

"I have a lot of friends that are pretty good and they don't get recognized as much," Smith said. "They play public school ball and they don't always get a lot of attention. But guys like Shaquan Whitaker and some of the guys on my team should be able to go D1 I think."

After Mizzou brought in 11 Missourians in its 2013 class, Smith thinks the Tigers will once again have another good in-state class in 2014.

"Yeah we've got some tough kids and good players from around here so I think we'll get things built up, at least I hope so," he said.

As for Mizzou in 2013? Smith is expecting the Tigers to bounce back from 2012's disappointment.

"Last year was a rebuilding year," he said. "I wouldn't expect them just to come into the SEC and start dominating from year one. That's a tough league but I think this second year will go a lot better."

While the Tigers look to improve their record in 2013, Smith has his sights set on a record of his own in 2013.

"The state rushing title, I want to break that," he said. "I'm not really about individual goals but I want to break the rushing title."